Don Swanson has traveled all over the United States researching
his family's genealogy. His travels have taken him to state historical
societies, libraries, and county courthouses in Tennessee, Virginia,
and Oklahoma.

During his research junkets, he experienced both the highs
and lows of the research facilities he encountered.

One thing he noticed in nearly all the locations he visited
was how slow and cumbersome the printing process was after the
information was found. After the desired article or document
was located, the microfilm it was recorded on was removed and
placed on a different machine, relocated, and then printed.

Such was the case when Don and other researchers visited the
Nebraska State Historical Society's Reference Room.

During one of his research trips, he discovered the ease and
convenience of a reader/printer combination machine. The reader/printer
makes it possible for the user to locate the article of interest,
read it, and print it without reeling the microfilm back, moving
to another machine to load the film, scrolling to the desired
article, and THEN printing the article. He thought the Nebraska
State Historical Society should have the same technology.

Don initiated a discussion that led to a $15,000 grant from the
Swanson Biggs Adams Family Foundation to purchase a Canon MS-800
digital microfilm scanner with laser printer. The machine was
installed on July 21, and Don was there for the inaugural print
(see photo at left). He said, "This will make the research
process go very quickly because they can find the article and
print it right on the spot."

The efficiency of the machine is a definite benefit to its
users, but Don also wanted to provide access to the reader/printer
as a benefit to Society members.

Society members can reserve the machine for three-hour blocks
of uninterrupted use. The gift from the Swanson Biggs Adams Family
Foundation also makes it possible to provide free prints of the
research materials to members. Non-members pay 50 cents per copy
and are restricted to 15-minute blocks of time.

"In the past we've looked at possibilities of offering
membership discounts in the Reference Room, and the generosity
of the Swanson Biggs Adams Family Foundation enables us to offer
that. We think that members will be thrilled to get free copies
and that this will expedite their research immeasurably,"
said Andrea Faling, associate director for Library/Archives at
the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Foundation Sponsors Volunteer Archeology
Dig at Engineer Cantonment

An elk rib bone, buttons, tacks, a Great Blue Heron bone,
smaller bird bones, pieces of dishes, pipe stems -- this is only
a partial list of the artifacts discovered at the Engineer Cantonment
site during a volunteer excavation sponsored by the Foundation.
Foundation and Society trustees and their guests had a unique
opportunity to join Society archeologist Rob Bozell for a day
of excavation and discovery on July 18.

Engineer Cantonment is now the oldest "discovered"
Euroamerican archeological site in Nebraska. Earlier trading
posts are known to have existed along the Missouri, but none
have been found. The site has archeological research potential
as well as national historic significance by virtue of its association
with the Long expedition.

The Long expedition was a voyage led by Major Stephen Harriman
Long that built upon the discoveries of Lewis and Clark. While
wintering at Engineer Cantonment, the expedition built several
cabins, documented local flora and fauna, and improved American
relations with local Native American tribes.

Volunteers assisted archeologists with light, careful digging
using small trowels, screened dirt for artifacts, identified
artifacts, and drew profiles of architectural remains and formations.
At the end of the day, they had uncovered what appears to be
the main fireplace of the set of buildings.

"The NSHS Archeology Division truly appreciates the help
of the Foundation trustees during our excavations of Engineer
Cantonment. The site is one of the most important properties
in Nebraska related to development of the American West, the
history of scientific explorations, and understanding early nineteenth-century
lifeways," said Bozell.

Bozell plans to continue the excavations this fall and has
invited Foundation trustees and their guests to join him.

"This site contains information yet to be unearthed.
We're looking forward to working with the Foundation and guests
on additional volunteer digs."

Volunteers Bev Karrer, Ron Westlake,
and Allison Petersen discovering the science of archeology and
unearthing important information about this significant site.

Volunteers assisting Society archeologist
Rob Bozell.

Foundation Trustee Dr. Bill Karrer
of Omaha.

For more information on the site or the upcoming volunteer
excavation, contact Jac Spahn at 888-515-3535.

How Can YOU Help the Society Protect
Our State's Past?

The Historical Society is charged with protecting, interpreting,
and sharing Nebraska's history. Imagine caring for over 135 years
worth of documents, photographs, maps, manuscripts, film, books,
buildings, and sites, and the huge collection of the many items
used by Nebraskans throughout those years. Don't forget the responsibility
to record the stories of our state, carefully protect and preserve
all those items and information, AND make all of the information
accessible in meaningful ways to the citizens of Nebraska and
beyond.

The Historical Society does all of that every day-- but they
could use YOUR help. Private support can have a great impact
on the tools and resources available to protect our state's heritage
well into the future.

From time to time, we'll feature needed equipment or information
that can help the Society increase the understanding, appreciation,
and accessibility of Nebraska's history.

Now here's how YOU can help! Look over the list and see if
there is something you can help us purchase. Or maybe you know
someone who could help, or maybe you have one of these items
you would be willing to donate.

Dual audio cassette deck for the audiovisual lab

Book truck for Library/Archives processing room

Flatbed scanner for Publications Division

Acid free storage boxes

Support for an intern to index the Nebraska History
magazine to prepare it for online use

Digital camera

Please contact Jac Spahn at the Foundation, 888-515-3535,
if you can help us with any of these items. Together we can be
a part of history and the
future!